beach and donuts

Monday was President's day, so that meant no school for this lady! Ali doesn't work Mondays, so beautifully enough we were able to spend the day together. We went to Sidecar Donuts, a spot in Newport that reminds me of Portland's style of doing things, primarily VooDoo donuts, the place that I believe started the donut craze. Beyond that allure of a place I used to call home, they brew Stumptown Coffee, another Portland aspect that I find myself missing. What I miss the most? The Stumptown cold brews. I am not a huge iced coffee fan, I normally need to add something to it because it tastes too astringent, but, Stumptown has mastered the art of the cold brew. Ali had never been to Sidecar, but had heard about it a bunch because as I was told by my friend, Sandra, I enjoy "taking peoples' v-cards" when it comes to Sidecar. I am okay with that. I got the Huckleberry donut, a favorite of mine because it lies within the realms of not too sweet, but just cakey to be a donut. Ali got the ever so popular, maple bacon donut and a gluten-free chocolate one that proved itself to be not so special.

After jittering with caffeine and sugar, we found ourselves at the beach. It's hard not to when you're so close to Balboa and it is in the perfect 60s range. Southern California, man, it sure knows how to do beautiful. We walked just close enough to the water to watch it glittering under the sun, we were sitting on rocks watching families and soon-to-be fishers occupy our surroundings. I then tried to master the art of the panorama and proved to be just as bad as I remembered it. Luckily, Ali is pretty good, so I have a decent account of the overlay of the day. It was calming and beautiful and spent with my favorite company. It was one of my favorite days this year because it was so simple, yet felt so special. You take for granted moments like this when you realize you can't spend them often with the ones you love.